Female closeness and lesbian identity. (Indonesia)(Adapted from Frauensolidaritat, 1993) (Asia: Women Arise) (Interview)

Indonesia

Within the cultural context of Indonesia, there exists either male or female sexuality. In addition, a third category is found that neither counts as female nor as male. For example, in South Sulawesi live the Kawe-Kawe men, who wear women's cloth and behave like women. Bissu are traditional priests who also wear women's cloth; in East Java, they are called Warok or Gemblak, in Jakarta they are called Banci or Bencong, and in Central Java they are called Wadon.

No matter what the third category is called, all definitions refer to men who adopt "female values." This has led to the general understanding that there is no difference between homosexual and transvestite behavior, and that …